Crenshaw County's composite score of 74.0 is 48% higher than the national median of 50.0, placing it at the 74th percentile nationally. The county ranks solidly among America's livable regions.
2 / 5
Above-average performer statewide
At 74.0, Crenshaw's composite score exceeds Alabama's state average of 70.8, placing it in the upper tier of Alabama counties. The county consistently delivers above-median livability.
3 / 5
Most affordable housing in the sample
Crenshaw County leads in housing affordability with a cost score of 89.1, median home value of $108,400, and median rent of just $664/month. Paired with a tax score of 93.3 (effective rate: 0.320%), residents get exceptional value.
4 / 5
Income and health need attention
The income score of 15.4 reveals a median household income of $49,040, constraining household wealth-building potential. Health outcomes (56.9) suggest residents may face barriers to quality healthcare access.
5 / 5
Best for budget-first rural families
Crenshaw County is perfect for families and retirees prioritizing rock-bottom housing costs and rural peace over income growth. It appeals to those with fixed or modest incomes who value financial security and community rootedness.
Crenshaw County's composite score of 74.0 is 48% higher than the national median of 50.0, placing it at the 74th percentile nationally. The county ranks solidly among America's livable regions.
Above-average performer statewide
At 74.0, Crenshaw's composite score exceeds Alabama's state average of 70.8, placing it in the upper tier of Alabama counties. The county consistently delivers above-median livability.
Most affordable housing in the sample
Crenshaw County leads in housing affordability with a cost score of 89.1, median home value of $108,400, and median rent of just $664/month. Paired with a tax score of 93.3 (effective rate: 0.320%), residents get exceptional value.
Income and health need attention
The income score of 15.4 reveals a median household income of $49,040, constraining household wealth-building potential. Health outcomes (56.9) suggest residents may face barriers to quality healthcare access.
Best for budget-first rural families
Crenshaw County is perfect for families and retirees prioritizing rock-bottom housing costs and rural peace over income growth. It appeals to those with fixed or modest incomes who value financial security and community rootedness.
Score breakdown
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🏛93.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.320%, Crenshaw County's effective property tax rate sits roughly 64% below the national average of 0.89%. The median annual tax of $347 is just 13% of the national median of $2,690.
Slightly below Alabama's average
Crenshaw's 0.320% rate sits just shy of Alabama's statewide average of 0.339%, making it one of the state's more affordable counties. The median tax of $347 trails Alabama's median by roughly 32%.
Mid-range among nearby counties
Crenshaw's 0.320% rate falls between Conecuh (0.324%) and Covington (0.251%), positioning it as a solid middle option in the regional tax landscape. It ranks fourth out of eight counties in this comparison.
What homeowners pay annually
A homeowner with a median-valued property ($108,400) in Crenshaw pays approximately $347 per year in taxes. Including mortgage-related assessments, that figure reaches around $461.
Appeal if your assessment seems high
Property tax assessments can drift out of sync with actual home values—compare your assessed value against recent neighborhood sales prices. Filing an appeal is typically straightforward and can reduce your annual tax bill if your assessment is indeed inflated.
Crenshaw County residents spend just 16.3% of income on rent—below the national average and well-positioned for housing affordability. At $664 monthly rent and a $49,040 median household income, the county delivers genuine accessibility for renters.
Crenshaw beats Alabama average comfortably
With a 16.3% rent-to-income ratio, Crenshaw performs better than Alabama's 18.0% state average, ranking among the state's more affordable rental markets. The $664 median rent is notably lower than the state's $799, offering measurable savings.
Affordable, consistent with region
Crenshaw's $664 rent is the lowest among its peer counties, and its 16.3% burden is competitive across the region. The county combines cheap housing with reasonable income support, making it consistent with Alabama's more affordable options.
Income covers housing comfortably
The median household of $49,040 pays $664 monthly for rent, leaving 16.3% of income for housing and 83.7% for other expenses. Homeownership at $494 monthly and $108,400 median value makes buying slightly cheaper than renting—an unusual and valuable scenario.
Crenshaw rewards affordable living seekers
Crenshaw County excels for renters seeking low housing burdens and offers exceptional homeownership value at $494 monthly costs. Include it in your comparison if affordability matters most—the $664 rent and $108,400 home prices rank among Alabama's best deals.
Crenshaw County's median household income of $49,040 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by $25,715, placing it in the lower third of American counties. The county also underperforms Alabama's state average of $54,196, indicating limited regional earning opportunities.
Crenshaw ranks in Alabama's lower tier
Crenshaw County ranks in the lower half of Alabama's 67 counties for median household income at $49,040. The county sits significantly below state average, reflecting economic challenges common to rural south-central Alabama communities.
Crenshaw underperforms nearby counties
Crenshaw County's $49,040 median household income falls below most neighboring communities in the region. Its per capita income of $30,321, while respectable, masks wage inequality and limited job diversity in the local economy.
Housing affordability remains reasonable but tight
Crenshaw County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.3% sits comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, protecting renters from extreme cost burden. The median home value of $108,400 aligns reasonably with local incomes, though families should plan conservatively for property taxes and maintenance.
Building wealth through modest, steady steps
Crenshaw households should focus on debt reduction and automatic savings transfers to build financial cushions despite moderate income levels. Local nonprofits and credit unions often offer financial literacy programs that help residents maximize limited resources.
Crenshaw County's 70.4-year life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 72.6 years by more than 2 years, reflecting significant health disadvantages. The county's 23.6% poor/fair health rate exceeds the national average of 21.8%, indicating widespread health challenges among residents. Crenshaw faces mounting pressures on health and longevity compared to national standards.
Crenshaw Among Alabama's Unhealthiest
Crenshaw's 70.4-year life expectancy falls below Alabama's state average of 72.1 years, ranking it among the state's poorest-performing counties. The county's 13.1% uninsured rate noticeably exceeds Alabama's 11.1% average, placing nearly 1 in 8 residents without coverage. Crenshaw experiences both worse health outcomes and greater insurance gaps than the state norm.
Crenshaw Faces Severe Regional Disadvantage
Crenshaw's 70.4-year life expectancy significantly lags nearby Colbert County (73.0 years) by 2.6 years—one of the largest gaps in the region. The county's 13.1% uninsured rate is the highest among its neighbors, creating additional barriers to healthcare access. Crenshaw stands out as the region's most vulnerable county on both health and insurance metrics.
Severe Provider Shortage Limits Care
Crenshaw County has only 23 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—less than half the regional average and a critical shortage that forces residents to travel for basic care. While mental health support at 69 providers per 100,000 is decent, the primary care desert creates a major barrier to preventive services and disease management. The provider shortage directly threatens health outcomes and contributes to the county's low life expectancy.
Coverage Is Urgent in Crenshaw
With 13.1% of Crenshaw residents uninsured—the highest rate in the region—healthcare access is a critical issue for a substantial part of the population. Visit the Alabama Health Insurance Marketplace or call your county health department immediately to explore coverage options available to you. Getting insured is essential to breaking Crenshaw's cycle of poor health outcomes.
Crenshaw County scores 34.38 on composite risk, earning a Very Low rating and sitting well below the national average. This favorable position reflects contained exposure across most natural hazard categories, though tornado and hurricane risks remain noteworthy.
Among Alabama's Lower-Risk Counties
At 34.38, Crenshaw falls significantly below Alabama's 61.54 state average, placing it among the safer counties statewide. The 27-point gap indicates residents enjoy substantially lower multi-hazard exposure than most of their state peers.
Similar Risk to Nearby Conecuh County
Crenshaw (34.38) and adjacent Conecuh (31.11) share similar low-risk profiles, both benefiting from southern Alabama's relative seismic and tornado safety. Both counties face elevated hurricane exposure compared to northern peers like Cullman and Colbert.
Hurricanes and Tornadoes Require Attention
Hurricane risk scores 84.56, reflecting Crenshaw's Gulf proximity and tropical storm season exposure, while tornadoes rank second at 63.20. Floods (33.59) and wildfire (25.16) pose minimal threats compared to these primary hazards.
Hurricane and Tornado Coverage Needed
The 84.56 hurricane risk score makes windstorm coverage essential; verify your homeowners policy includes hurricane protection or add a separate windstorm policy. Keep tornado coverage active year-round, and review flood insurance if you're in any mapped flood zone.